Golf bag with compressive pockets

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a golf bag having compressive pockets. The compressive pockets are adapted to minimize alteration of the profile created by the presence of contents within the pocket and/or minimize shifting of the center of mass of the contents away from the surface of the body as the bag is moved.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from the U.S. provisional patent application entitled Golf Bag with Compressive Pockets, filed Jan. 22, 2002, and given Serial No. 60/351,160.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to sporting equipment, and in particular, to golf bags.

[0003] Current golf bags often include large pockets for storage of tees, golf balls, rain gear, water bottles, etc. When these pockets are loaded with bulky or heavy items, they often bulge out from the bag, or sag under the heavy weight. As the golfer picks up and carriers the bag, the weight of the items is often placed far from the golfers body, making the bag feel heavy to the golfer. In some pockets, loose items may flop from side to side as the golfer walks down the course, producing an undesirable sound, and further making the bag difficult to carry. For golfers that prefer to carry their clubs rather than use carts, this uneven distribution of weight may become particularly tiresome over an entire round of golf. For elderly or other less sure-footed golfers, this uneven weight distribution may even be unsafe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is a golf bag with compressive pockets. Pockets that compress may bring the weight of items being carried in the bag closer to the bag and may make it easier to carry and maneuver the golf bag. Furthermore, compressive packets may make the items carried more secure and decrease weight shifts do to item movement in the bag. The closer the weight of the golf accessories to a golf bag, the easier it may be to carry and maneuver the golf bag. Furthermore, the less the items carried in a golf bag pockets move around, this may improve balance, stability and safety when carrying or moving the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is a top view of a golf bag with a compression element according to one embodiment of the present invention, shown in a compressed configuration.

[0006]FIG. 2 depicts the golf bag of FIG. 1 with the compression element shown in an expanded configuration.

[0007]FIG. 3 is a top view of a golf bag with a compression element according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown in a compressed configuration.

[0008]FIG. 4 depicts the golf bag of FIG. 3 with the compression element shown in an expanded configuration.

[0009]FIG. 5 is yet another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a lower, side view of a golf bag with a compression element.

[0010]FIG. 6 is a view of the compressive element of FIG. 5 with the pocket in a compressed position.

[0011]FIG. 7 is a top view of still another embodiment of the present invention with more than one compressive element shown in a compressed configuration.

[0012]FIG. 8 depicts the compression elements of FIG. 7 in an expanded configuration

[0013]FIG. 9 is a side view of a golf bag with a compression element according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 10 is a rear view of the golf bag shown in FIG. 9.

[0015]FIG. 11 is another side view of the golf bag shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrates a top view of a golf bag 10 with a pocket 12 on the left side. Pocket 12 is shown in compressed (FIG. 1) and uncompressed (FIG. 2) positions. Pocket 12 is compressed towards the golf bag 10 by compressive element 14. In this embodiment compressive element 14, extends from golf bag 10 horizontally around the outside of pocket 12 and can be tightened to compress pocket 12. Compressive element 14 may be elastic, fabric, or any other material suitable to be used as a compressive element. Pocket 12 may be solid fabric or other suitable, lightweight, flexible and durable material or materials.

[0017] Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Golf bag 110 may have a pocket 112 that may be compressed toward golf bag 110 by compressive element 114. Again, pocket 112 is shown in compressed (FIG. 3) and uncompressed (FIG. 4 ) positions. In this embodiment, compressive member 114 extends vertically from golf bag 110 to compress pocket 112 toward golf bag 110. As shown, there may be more than one compressive element 114 that may be used to compress pocket 112 towards golf bag 110.

[0018]FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, Golf bag 210 may have a back 220. Golf bag 210 may have pocket 212 and compressive element 214 that compresses pocket 212 towards back 220 of golf bag 210. Compressive element 214 may connect to back 220 and extend over pocket 212 and connect to back 220 on the opposite side of pocket 212, thereby compressing pocket 212 toward back 220 of golf bag 210. Pocket 212 is illustrated here as rectangular in shape. It will be appreciated that pocket 212 may be any suitable shape. Pocket 212 may have a panel 216 and a gusset 218 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Panel 216 may be molded plastic, reinforced fabric or other suitable, lightweight and durable material. Gusset 218 may be elastic, fabric, or other lightweight, flexible and durable material that would allow panel 216 to be compressed toward back 220 of golf bag 210.

[0019]FIG. 6 illustrates the golf bag 210 and pocket 212 from FIG. 6 in a compressed position. Panel 216 is shown compressed closer toward golf bag 210 by compressive element 214. Compressive element 214 may connect to back 220 and extend over pocket 212 and connect to back 220 on the opposite side of pocket 212, thereby compressing pocket 212 toward back 220 of golf bag 210. Compressive element 214 may attach to golf bag 210 by any Velcro, buckle or any other suitable connection technique. Compressive element 214 may be a strap, lever or any other device suitable to be used as a compressive element.

[0020]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a top view of a golf bag 310 having a different pocket configuration in still another embodiment of the present invention. Golf bag 310 may have a first pocket 312 connectably related to a back 320 of golf bag 310. Golf bag 310 may also have a second pocket 322 connetably related to first pocket 312. Pockets 312 and 322 are shown in compressed (FIG. 7) and uncompressed (FIG. 8) positions. First pocket 312 and second pocket 322 may be made of an elastic material that may compress pockets 312, 322 towards back 320 of golf bag 310. Pockets 312, 322 may be made entirely of an elastic material or may have a configuration similar to that in FIGS. 1-6 with a panel, gusset and compressing element. Alternatively, pockets 312, 322 may be made entirely of a compressive element or may include a gusset made of a compressive element.

[0021]FIG. 9 is a right side view of golf bag 410 illustrating various pockets 412 a, 412 b, 412 c, 412 d, and 412 e. As shown, pocket 412 a includes compressive gusset or side panel 414 a, which serves as a compression element. Gusset 414 a may be made of elastic or another suitable material.

[0022] Pockets 412 a, 412 b, 412 c, 412 d, and 412 e may be adapted to include specialized contents. For example, golf bag 410 may include a ball pocket, a valuables pocket, a utility pocket, a water bottle pocket, or the like. For example, a ball pocket may hold golf balls and may be compressed towards golf bag. A valuables pocket may hold car keys, billfold, etc. A utility pocket may be used to hold spare golf gloves or other devices or materials. A water bottle pocket may hold a water bottle or other drink container or other devices or materials. Any of the pockets may be associated with each other similar to pockets illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein the outside portion of one pocket may serve as the inside portion of another pocket or pockets. The pockets may be elastic, molded plastic, fabric, mesh or other suitable, lightweight, flexible and durable material, and any or all of the pockets may include any of the compression elements described above, or a combination thereof.

[0023] Golf bag 410 may further include one or more of a handle 430, a padded region 440, and a retractable stand 450.

[0024]FIG. 10 is a view of the back of golf bag 410 depicted in FIG. 9. In addition to the pockets shown in FIG. 9, golf bag 410 may further include pocket 412 f, which may also include a compressive gusset 414 f.

[0025]FIG. 11 is a front view of golf bag 410 in the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 11 illustrates a view of the pockets on the right and left side of the golf bag that may have compressive members.

[0026] It should be noted that while in the examples above the pockets and compressive members are shown as compressing inward towards the outer surface of the golf bag, it should be appreciated that the pockets and compressive members may be configured such that the interior compartment of the pockets expand outwards towards the exterior portion of the pocket. In this embodiment, the exterior portion of the pocket may be fixed or static.

[0027] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf bag comprising: a body having a surface profile, the body defining a cavity adapted to receive one or more golf clubs; a pocket positioned adjacent the body, the pocket adapted to receive contents, wherein the surface profile of the body is alterable by the presence of contents in the pocket; and a compressive element adapted to minimize alteration of the profile created by the presence of contents within the pocket.
 2. The golf bag of claim 1 wherein the surface profile is of an external surface of the golf bag.
 3. The golf bag of claim 1 wherein the surface profile is of an internal surface of the golf bag.
 4. The golf bag of claim 1 wherein the pocket includes at least one elastic gusset that acts as the compressive element.
 5. The golf bag of claim 1 wherein the compressive element includes one or more straps.
 6. The golf bag of claim 5 wherein at least one of the straps is positioned horizontally across the pocket.
 7. The golf bag of claim 5 wherein at least one of the straps is positioned vertically across the pocket.
 8. A golf bag comprising: a body defining a cavity adapted to receive one or more golf clubs; a variable volume pocket positioned adjacent the body; a compressive element adapted to minimize alteration of the volume of the pocket when contents are within the pocket.
 9. The golf bag of claim 8 wherein the pocket includes at least one elastic panel that acts as the compressive element.
 10. The golf bag of claim 8 wherein the compressive element includes one or more straps.
 11. The golf bag of claim 10 wherein at least one of the straps is positioned horizontally across the pocket.
 12. The golf bag of claim 10 wherein at least one of the straps is positioned vertically across the pocket.
 13. A golf bag comprising: a body having a surface, the body defining a cavity adapted to receive one or more golf clubs; a pocket positioned adjacent the body and adapted to receive contents; and a compressive element adapted to minimize shifting of the center of mass of the contents away from the surface of the body as the bag is moved.
 14. The golf bag of claim 13 wherein the pocket includes at least one elastic panel that acts as the compressive element.
 15. The golf bag of claim 13 wherein the compressive element includes one or more straps.
 16. The golf bag of claim 15 wherein at least one of the straps is positioned horizontally across the pocket.
 17. The golf bag of claim 15 wherein at least one of the straps is positioned vertically across the pocket. 